Alameda Co. Firefighters Concerned About Illegal Fireworks

ALAMEDA COUNTY (KCBS) – Alameda County fire officials sent out a warning Thursday about the use of illegal fireworks this July 4th weekend, especially with hot weather forecasted.

To show how powerful illegal fireworks can be, the Alameda County Sheriff’s bomb squad set off an M100 device. In addition, they set some dry brush on fire to show what can happen when fireworks such as sparklers are mishandled.

KCBS’ Bob Melrose Reports:

”In this nation, somewhere between 8,000 and 9,000 are treated in an emergency room annually for fireworks-related injuries,” said Alameda County Fire Chief Sheldon Gilbert. “Of those people, approximately 50 to 55 percent of them are under the age of 15.”

In Alameda County, only the cities of Dublin, Newark and Union City allow safe and sane fireworks.